The LEAD program, introduced in April during SCA’s Re:co Symposium, is intends to provide professional development resources to people in marginalized and under-represented communities. The goal is to increase diversity in leadership throughout the world’s coffee industry.

“As a global nonprofit organization, SCA recognizes that access to membership, coffee events, and education differ for individuals depending on their identity, background, and access to financial resources,” the organization said in making its announcement. “The coffee industry has a lot of work to do to diversify its leadership at every point in the value chain, and overcoming these obstacles will require proactive efforts and dedicated resources. LEAD is designed to be a small but important step towards progress in this area.”

The five scholars were selected from among 60 international applicants. Stephanie Alcala is a graduate student at the University of Michigan, United States. Taya Brown is a PhD student and program director for the Center for Coffee Research and Education in Guatemala.